How to Knit a Large Ball

Written by renee o'farrell

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Knit a large ball to use up scraps; it makes a fun and functional pillow! (Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images)

A large knit ball is a fun way to use up extra yarn. The balls you knit can be used for fun pillows, perfect for a child's or teenager's room. Knit an extra-large ball to make a beanbag chair, or knit several smaller balls for juggling, baby toys or a young child's game of toss. This pattern can be adapted to be as small or as large as you like.

Repeat steps two and three, increasing 6 stitches evenly over each increase row until your ball measures the circumference you want. So, starting with 18 stitches, you would knit 3 than make 1, leaving 24 stitches; in the next row, you would knit 4 stitches then make 1.

5

Knit rounds without increasing -- one round for every increase row you knitted.

6

Decrease 6 stitches evenly to form your first decrease row. So, if you have 60 stitches, work 8 then decrease 1, six times; 54 stitches will remain.

Stuff the ball with whatever you've chosen for stuffing. Cut two 8-inch pieces of yarn. Using your yarn needle, thread one around the cast-on edge at the top of the ball, pull tightly to close the hole and knot to secure. Weave in or trim your ends. Repeat with the other piece of yarn around the bind-off edge.

Tips and warnings

You can use any weight yarn and any size needle; just make sure that the knit fabric produced is tight enough to keep the stuffing in.

Experiment with stripes.

If you are using up scrap yarn, keep increasing until you use up just under half of your yarn.

Knit extra rounds without increasing to make an oblong pillow, perfect for a neck pillow or to prop up your feet!

If you are making a very large ball, transition to a circular needle when the circumference gets to be too much for your double-pointed needles.

Gauge isn't important; just use a needle and yarn combination that creates a knit fabric tight enough to hold the stuffing.